Hydraulic pumping system



Dec. 10, 1957 w, w, KU 2,815,767

r I HYDRAULIC PUMPING svsml Filed Jan. 24, 1957 VINVENTOR. WILUAM W.KURNS Y z "a p5 United States Patent HYDRAULIC PUMPING SYSTEM William W.Kurus, Crystal Lake, 111., assiguor to The Amco Corporation, Chicago,11]., a corporation of Illinois Application January 24, 1957, Serial No.636,103

7 Claims. (Cl. 137-267) This invention relates to hydraulic pumpingsystems; to a hydraulic system for selectively discharging liquids fromany one of a plurality of vehicle mounted tanks; and to a unique closedpumping system which is readily mountable on any truck vehicle, andwhich is adaptable to operate any number of pumping and hose reel units,all of which are hydraulically driven from a single source of power.

Present day local distribution of gasoline and oil products isaccomplished chiefly by means of large motor vehicles in the form oftrucks or tractor-trailer combinations having multi-tank installationsfor carrying a variety of products. In order to prevent mixing of thedifferent oil and gasoline products, a separate independent systern,including a hose and product pump, is connected with each product tank.In passing, it is to be noted that most communities have passed lawsrequiring a separate discharge system for each product tank, therebyeliminating the possibility of explosions resulting from instances wherehighly volatile gasoline products, left in the pumps and hoses, aredispensed along with oil to apparatus designed to burn only oilproducts.

In the art, many systems have been devised for discharging the liquidproducts from product tanks. Commonly used apparatus for driving theproduct pumps includes the employment of a set of rigid shaftsinterconnected by universal couplings, the shafts being connected at oneend to their respective product pump andat their other end to a powertake-off from the vehicles transmission. Often, flexible drive shaftsare substituted for the rigid shafts. In many instances, it is foundthat truck framework must be cut to allow the shaft to passtherethrough, thereby appreciably weakening the frame,

or, in still other instances, that the product pumps cannot be mountedat the most advantageous locations since it is impossible to extend theshafts thereto. Whether rigid or flexible shafts are used, however, theresulting set-up for driving the product pumps is a maze of shafts whichare laborious and expensive to install, difiicult to disassemble andrepair, noisy in operation, and require close maintenance.

Even those few known systems for driving the product pumps hydraulicallyhave not given full satisfaction. These systems are not easily adaptableto accommodate any number of product tanks and, more often than not,provide no safety arrangements for assuring that only one tank at a timecan have its contents discharged therefrom. Moreover, they either haveno means for auto--' matically reeling in each product hose, or theyprovide an independent electric motor for driving each hose reel. Theuse of electrical motors around highly volatile gasoline products, ofcourse, is not desirable, since there always is the danger of a sparkcausing a fire or explosion.

In contrast, the present invention contemplates the provision of acompletely hydraulic system for driving both product pumps and hosereels, the system being adaptable for mounting to both existing and newtrucks and tractor-trailer combinations, and capable of selectively2,815,757 Patented Dec. 10, 1957 driving any number of product pump andhose reel combinations.

Objects of this invention include the provision of a hydraulic systemfor selectively driving both product pumps and hose reels; anarrangement whereby a single hydraulic pump provides all the necessarypower for selectively driving oil and gasoline product discharge units;a pumping system which may be easily detached and remounted on othermotor vehicles and trucks; and a pumping system which is economical tomanufacture, install and maintain, and silent in operation.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a uniquearrangement whereby each product tank has its own hydraulically drivenpump for dispensing its liquids, and further has its own hose andhydraulically driven reel for winding the hose, the pumps and reels ofall tanks having a common-source of hydraulic power.

. Specifically, an object of this invention is to provide a selectorvalve for the pump and reel of each tank, whereby at any time only thepump or the reel can be hydraulically driven. In carrying out thisprovision, the invention further includes an arrangement of selectorvalves for all tanks, whereby no more than one tank at a time can haveits contents discharged therefrom, or whereby in fact only one unit,whether a pump or a hose reel unit, can be hydraulically driven at anyone time.

The objects and features mentioned and implied from the foregoingdiscussion are achieved by the present hydraulic pumping system andmainly by the following features of the same, it being understood, ofcourse, that all parts herein described are suitably mounted to theframe or body of an automotive vehicle. A hydraulic pump is suitablycoupled to the transmission of the vehicle, the pump intake beingconnected to a hydraulic fluid reservoir, and its discharge beingconnected with lines leading to the hydraulic motors of the units to bedriven. Each tank has its own product pump and hose reel units, and eachproduct pump and hose reel is driven by an independent hydraulic motorconnected with the master hydraulic pump. Control of the flow of thehydraulic fluid is achieved by selector Valves, there being one valvefor each tank and its respective units, whereby either the hydraulicmotor of the product pump or the hydraulic motor to drive the hose reelmechanism may be selectively run. Suitable connecting lines and headersare provided so that the hydraulic fluid flows from the selectivelyoperating hydraulic motor back to the reservoir tank which has.suflicient capacity to supply the fluid through the lines to any of thehydraulic motors. The selector valves are so arranged and interconnectedthat only one hydraulic motor at a time'can be operated, and further aredesigned to allow the master hydraulic pump to run idly Withoutoperating any of the hydraulic motors of the product pump or the hosereel units.

The foregoing and other objects, advantages and features of constructionwill become more apparent from a consideration of the followingdescription and the appended drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a flow sheet representation of the pumping system embodyingthe present invention.

While the hereinafter description principally refers to a hydraulicpumping system employed for dispensing oil and gasoline products fromvehicle mounted product tanks, it is to be understood that this is donefor the purpose of illustration and that the system may be used equallyas well for selectively pumping any liquid from any one of a pluralityof tanks, whether vehicle mounted or not.

Referring to the drawing, the master hydraulic pump 11 is coupled to thetransmission 12 of the truck by a suitable single power take-offarrangement 13. Fluid leaves pump 11 through a discharge or pressureline 14, and is 3 delivered to the pump through an intake line 15leading from a hydraulic fluid reservoir tank 16.

Each product tank is provided with its own product discharge apparatus.In the illustrated embodiment of the invention two such sets ofapparatus are provided, although it is to be understood that theinvention is capable of providing any number of such sets equal to thenumber of product tanks mounted to the vehicle. Each of the productpumps 17, 17a, respectively is driven by its own hydraulic motor 18,18a, through appropriate couplings 19, 19a. The liquid product to bedispensed is supplied to the pumps 17, 17a, through the respectiveintakes 20 and is discharged to the product hoses through passages 21.The product discharge apparatus for each tank further includes hosereels 22, 2211, each respectively rotatably driven by an independenthydraulic motor 23, 23a.

Control of the flow of the hydraulic fluid in pressure line 14 to thevarious hydraulic motors is achieved by selector valves 24, 24a. Eachvalve includes an intake port 25, three discharge ports 26, 27, 28, andan operating handle 29 for adjusting the valve mechanism to selectivelydirect the flow of the hydraulic fluid from any discharge port. Suchvalves are well known in the art and need not be discussed in detail.One preferable embodiment of the valves is model Number 22603-1manufactured by Webster Electric Company of Racine, Wisconsin.

Intake port 25 of valve 24 has pressure line 14 connected thereto, whiledischarge port 26 of valve 24 is connected with the intake 30 of productpump hydraulic motor 18 by means of line 31. Hydraulic fluid isdistributed from discharge port 27 of valve 24 to the intake 32 of hosereel hydraulic motor 23 by means of line 33. When neither of thehydraulic motors 18, 23, is being run, fluid is directed from dischargeport 28 of valve 24 and into line 34 connected with intake port 25 ofvalve 24a. The discharge ports 26, 27, of valve 24a respectively areconnected through lines 35, 36, to the respective intakes 37, 38, ofhydraulic motors 18a, 23a, to direct the selective flow of hydraulicfluid thereto. Discharge port 28 of valve 24:: is connected to a returnheader 39 whereto the respective discharge sides of the hydraulic motors18, 18a, 23, 23a, are connected. Header 39 empties through line 40 intoreservoir 16, wherefrom the drive fluid flows through line to masterhydraulic pump 11.

Any product pump or hose reel unit may be selectively run by theforegoing system by properly setting its respective selector valve. Todeliver any product from its tank, an operator first activates theselector valve engaging the product pump hydraulic motor. The operatorcan then unwind the correct hose from its hose reel unit, this operationnormally being accomplished by pulling the hose from the reel by hand,and sets the hose for delivery of the liquid product into its receivingtank. The desired product pump is then automatically hydraulicallyoperated when the operator opens the nozzle allowing the product to flowthrough the hose into the receiving tank. After the desired amount ofliquid has been delivered through the hose to the receiving tank, theoperator closes the nozzle and sets the selector valve on rewind, thusactivating the hydraulically driven hose reel unit to rewindthe hose onits reel.

In greater detail, assuming that product pump 17 is to run, selectorvalve 24 is set to deliver the drive fluid from pressure line 14,through valve discharge port 26 and into line 31 to actuate hydraulicmotor 18, from where the hydraulic fluid returns to header 39 for flowback to its reservoir 16. At the completion of the product delivery,either the system is disconnected from the truck transmission 12, orselector-valve 24- is set to direct the fluid flow into line 34 forreturn to. the reservoir 16. To rewind the hose, selector valve 24 isset to deliver the hydraulic drive fluid out of its discharge port 27and into line 33 to actuate drive motor 23 and rotate reel unit 22.

Product pump l 'la and hose-reel unit 22a sirnilarly may be operated byfirst setting selector valve 24 to direct the fluid through itsdischarge port 28 and into line 34. From line 34, the fluid entersselector valve 24a for selective distribution through its discharge portto run the desired product discharge unit controlled by valve 24a.

The herein apparatus is so arranged that only one unit may be run at anytime. Thus, valves 24 and 24a can direct the drive fluid through onlyone of their respective discharge ports to run only one of therespective product pump or hose reel units they control. Further, aslong as valve 24 is directing fluid through one of its discharge ports26 or 27 to run one of its respective units, nothing which is done atvalve 24a can affect the operation of the operating pump or hose reelunit, since no hydraulic fluid is flowing to valve 24a. Similarly, ifvalve 24a is distributing drive fluid through one of its discharge ports26, 27, to run either its respective pump 17a or hose reel unit 22a,setting of valve 24 to any setting but that which directs fluid flow toline 34 immediately cuts off the fluid flow to the previously operatingpump 17a or hose reel unit 22a.

The system is readily adaptable for accommodating any number of producttanks. If it is desired to connect an existing system to run anadditional product pump and hose reel unit, all that need be done is toreconnect discharge port 28 of valve 24a so that it directs fluid flowto a line leading into the intake of an additional selector valve,rather than having the discharge port 28 leading directly into header 39as illustrated in the drawing. The additional valve is then connected toits respective product pump and hose reel units in a manner similar tothat illustrated for valve 24a. Since all selector valves are in serieswith each other, the same safety features will exist, that is, only oneproduct pump or one hose reel unit in the entire system can be operatedat any one time.

To facilitate easy installation of the system to trucks andtractor-trailer combinations, it is preferred that the hydraulic fluidtransmission lines 14 and 15 be made from suitable flexible hosematerials. In this manner, the master hydraulic pump 11 may be connectedand disconnected to the power take-off 13 in the most expeditious waywithout limitation of set connecting lines to pump 11. Moreover, whenthe system is installed on tractortrailer combinations, master pump 11may be mounted on the tractor near the drive transmission and theremaining apparatus may be mounted on the trailer, while the connectinglines 14, 15, allow relative movement therebetween.

From the foregoing, it readily can be seen that the present hydraulicpumping system provides a maximum of versatility for use. with any formof vehicle mounted multi-tank arrangements, requires a minimum offittings,

' and is adaptable to accommodate any number of product tanks with onlythe slightest of change requirements.

It is to be understood that the apparatus shown and described herein isa preferred embodiment which has been given by way of example only, andthat various changes and rearrangements of the details shown may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of whichis defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A hydraulic system for dispensing gasoline and oil products from anyone of a plurality'of vehicle mounted product tanks, comprising: powertake-off means connected with the engine of the vehicle; a masterhydraulic pump driven by said power take-off means; a product pump and ahose reel for each tank; a hydraulic motor for driving each' productpump; a hydraulic motor for driving each hose reel; a hydraulic fluidcirculating system connected with said master pump and including ahydraulic fluid reservoir, a plurality of selector valves, one for eachproduct tank and its corresponding product pump and hose reel units,each valve having a discharge port connected-with its respective productpump hydraulic motor, a second discharge port connected with itsrespective hose reel hydraulic motor, a third discharge port, and meansfor selectively directing fluid flow through any one of said dischargeports, said valves being arranged in series with hydraulic fluid conduitextending from the third discharge port of each valve to the intake ofthe neXt successive valve whereby not more than one hydraulic motor canbe run at a time.

2. A hydraulic system for selectively operating hazardous fluiddischarge units including a separate product pump and a separate hosereel for each of at least two product tanks mounted on a vehicle havingan engine and power take-ofi means driven thereby, said systemcomprising: a separate hydraulic motor for driving each product pump; aseparate hydraulic motor for driving each hose reel; a master hydraulicpump for supplying drive fluid to the hydraulic motors; a hydraulicfluid reservoir connected with the intake of said master pump; means fordistributing drive fluid to any of said hydraulic motors, saiddistributing means including a fluid supply line connected with thedischarge of said master pump, at least two control valves, one forcontrolling the operation of both a product pump hydraulic motor and ahose reel hydraulic motor for a corresponding product tank, each valvehaving a discharge port connected with the intake of a respective one ofthe product pump hydraulic motors, a second discharge port connectedwith the intake of a respective one of the hose reel hydraulic motors, athird discharge port, an intake port, and a control for directing fluidflow through any one of said discharge ports, the intake port of one ofsaid valves being connected with said supply line and its thirddischarge port being connected with the intake port of the other of saidvalves whereby said valves are connected in series, said distributingmeans further including a common return header connected with thedischarges of said hydraulic motors and the third discharge port of saidother valve, and leading into said reservoir whereby a closed circuit isprovided for said hydraulic fluid.

3. A hydraulic system for dispensing oil products from any one of aplurality of vehicle mounted product tanks, comprising: a power take-oflconnected with the vehicle engine; a master hydraulic pump driven bysaid take-off means; a plurality of product pumps, one for each producttank; a plurality of hose reel units, one for each product tank; aplurality of hydraulic motors, each for driving a respective one of saidproduct pumps; a second plurality of hydraulic motors, each for drivinga respective one of said hose reel units; a plurality of valves, eachfor controlling the selective operation of both a respective one of theproduct pump hydraulic motors and a respective one of the hose reel unithydraulic motors; conduit connecting each product pump hydraulic motorwith a discharge port in its respective valve; second conduit connectingeach hose reel unit hydraulic motor with a second discharge port in itsrespective valve; means on each valve controlling fluid distributionfrom either discharge port; and further conduit connecting said valvesin series with each other and with said master pump.

4. In combination with a motor vehicle having a plurality of producttanks mounted thereon, and a separate product pump and a separate hosereel unit for each product tank, a system for hydraulically operatingall product pumps and all hose reel units, said system comprising: amaster hydraulic pump driven by the vehicle motor, a plurality ofhydraulic motors, one for driving each product pump and one for drivingeach hose reel unit, a plurality of valves, each for controlling theselective operation of both a respective one of the product pumphydraulic motors and a respective one of the hose reel unit hydraulicmotors, conduit connecting each product pump hydraulic motor with adischarge port in its respective valve, second conduit connecting eachhose reel unit hydraulic motor with a second discharge port in itsrespective valve, means on each valve for control- 6 ling fluiddistribution from either discharge port, and further conduit connectingsaid valves in series with each other and with said master pump wherebyhydraulic fluid may be selectively distributed to any of said hydraulicmotors to run the product pump or hose reel unit driven thereby.

5. In combination with a motor vehicle having a plurality of producttanks mounted thereon, and a separate product pump and a separate hosereel unit for each product tank, an improved system for hydraulicallyoperating all product pumps and all hose reel units, said systemcomprising: a master hydraulic pump driven by the vehicle motor, aseparate hydraulic motor for driving each product pump, a separatehydraulic motor for driving each hose reel unit, hydraulic fluidcirculating means connected with said master pump and including ahydraulic fluid reservoir, a plurality of control valves, one for eachproduct tank and its corresponding product pump and hose reel hydraulicmotors, each valve having a discharge port connected with its respectiveproduct pump hydraulic motor, a second discharge port connected with itsrespective hose reel unit hydraulic motor, and means for distributinghydraulic fluid through either of said discharge ports, and conduitconnecting said valves in series with each other and with said masterpump and said fluid reservoir.

6. The combination for use with a truck having an engine and powertake-off means driven thereby, comprising: a pair of product tanksmounted on said truck; a pair of product pumps, each for pumping theliquid product from a respective one of said tanks; a pair of hose reelunits, each for delivering the liquid product from a respective one ofsaid tanks; a pair of hydraulic motors, each for driving a respectiveone of said product pumps; a second pair of hydraulic motors, each fordriving a respective one of said hose reel units; a pair of selectorvalves, each for controlling the selective operation of both arespective one of the product pump hydraulic motors and a respective oneof the hose reel unit hydraulic motors, each valve having a dischargeport connected with its respective product pump hydraulic motor, asecond discharge port connected with its respective hose reel unithydraulic motor, and a selector for distributing hydraulic fluid througheither of said discharge ports; a master hydraulic fluid pump driven bysaid power take-01f; a hydraulic fluid reservoir; and conduit connectingsaid valves in series with each other and with said master pump and saidreservoir, whereby power fluid may be selectively distributed to any oneof said hydraulic motors to operate the apparatus driven thereby.

7. A hydraulic system for pumping liquids from any one of a plurality oftanks, comprising: a plurality of product pumps, one for each tank; aplurality of rotatable hose reel units, one for each tank; a pluralityof hydraulic motors, one coupled to a respective one of said pumps andone coupled to a respective one of said hose reel units to drive thesame; a master hydraulic pump; means for driving said master pump; ahydraulic fluid reservoir connected with the intake of said master pump;a return header connecting the discharge of said hydraulic motors withsaid fluid reservoir; a plurality of control valves, each controllingthe selective operation of both a product pump hydraulic motor and ahose reel unit hydraulic motor, each valve having a discharge portconnected with the intake of its corresponding product pump hydraulicmotor, a second discharge port connected with the intake of itscorresponding hose reel unit hydraulic motor, a third discharge port, anintake port and a control for selectively directing fluid flow from anyone of its discharge ports; means connecting said valves in seriesincluding fluid lines extending between the third discharge ports to theintake port of the next successive valve; a fluid line connecting theintake port of the first of said series connected valves with the diseharge. of said master pump; and a fluid :Iine ,epnnegting 1,764,057Steinhauer June '17', 1930 the third discharge port of the last of saidseries con- 2,493,510 Tweedale Jan. 3, 1950 nected valves with saidreturn header. 2,543,564 Bakewell Feb. 27, 1951 2,731,171 Mgmkin Jan.17, 1956 References Cited in the file of this patent 5 2 UNITED STATESPATENTS Re. 22,142 Unger July 21, 1942

